CHRNA5
Encyclopedia
Neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-5 is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the CHRNA5 gene
.
), such as CHRNA5, are members of a superfamily of ligand-gated ion channel
s that mediate fast signal transmission at synapse
s. The nAChRs are thought to be (hetero)pentamers composed of homologous subunits.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the CHRNA5 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
Function
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRsNicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, or nAChRs, are cholinergic receptors that form ligand-gated ion channels in the plasma membranes of certain neurons and on the postsynaptic side of the neuromuscular junction...
), such as CHRNA5, are members of a superfamily of ligand-gated ion channel
Ligand-gated ion channel
Ligand-gated ion channels are one type of ionotropic receptor or channel-linked receptor. They are a group of transmembrane ion channels that are opened or closed in response to the binding of a chemical messenger , such as a neurotransmitter.The binding site of endogenous ligands on LGICs...
s that mediate fast signal transmission at synapse
Synapse
In the nervous system, a synapse is a structure that permits a neuron to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another cell...
s. The nAChRs are thought to be (hetero)pentamers composed of homologous subunits.